Bakerloo line extension - Have your say

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Results Updated 20 Feb 2018

Since the consultation closed, we have analysed the results and considered how they can, where appropriate, inform the further development of the BLE proposals. Our work is ongoing as designing a large new section of railway that integrates with the existing Bakerloo line is a complex task.

Some of the consultation responses raised complex issues that require additional time to consider properly. Therefore this document is an Initial Response to the main issues raised, which outlines our work to analyse responses to date.

Once we have further completed our work, we will publish a further report addressing the issues raised in more detail, identifying where our proposals may have changed and how we will ensure future development work takes them into consideration.

Results Updated 31 Jul 2017

We recently consulted on proposals to extend the Bakerloo line beyond Elephant & Castle to Lewisham, serving Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate. Thank you to those who took part.

We received 4,899 responses to the consultation and a full report detailing our analysis of the consultation is available here

Our response to issues raised during the consultation will be published later this year.

Overview

We are proposing to extend the Bakerloo line beyond Elephant & Castle to Lewisham, serving Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate, and would like to hear your views.

The extension will improve connectivity, increase the capacity and resilience of the transport network and reduce journey times between key destinations. This will help London to grow by supporting new homes and jobs.

In autumn 2014 we asked for views on an extension of the Bakerloo line. Following assessment of the consulted route options alongside those suggested by consultees, we have concluded that an extension to Lewisham via Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate is the best option for an initial Bakerloo line extension.

Progressing with these proposals is a commitment made by the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, and we have therefore allocated funds for its development in the TfL business plan. We have a lot of further work to do to progress these proposals and will consult further as our plans develop. The Mayor has committed to bring the completion date forward from 2030 to 2028/29.

Our application for planning permission to construct and operate the extension will be through a Transport and Works Act Order. This is subject to rigorous conditions and may result in a public inquiry at which further representations can be made.

Why the extension is needed
London’s population is forecast to grow to over 10 million people by 2030. To help accommodate this growth, the Old Kent Road Opportunity Area in Southwark has the potential for at least 20,000 new homes and 5,000 new jobs, with further new homes under construction and planned in Lewisham.

To support this growth and improve passenger journeys, there will need to be improved transport services in south east London, especially along Old Kent Road. Old Kent Road is currently served well by buses but at times these suffer from traffic delays, and will not be able to support the potential growth in the area on their own.

As part of the Greater London Authority, we are working in partnership with the London Boroughs of Southwark and Lewisham to develop proposals for growth along the extension that can support both, current and planned communities and businesses.

The extension would:

Offer a new direct link into central London for people living or working in south east London, especially along Old Kent Road

Provide capacity for 65,000 extra journeys in the morning and evening peak, to help relieve congestion on local bus services and National Rail services

Support development and regeneration in south east London, and in particular the provision of vital new homes

Relieve congestion on roads, reducing CO2 emissions and air pollution

Reduce journey times along the extension to central London by up to nine minutes

Provide an Underground train every two to three minutes between Lewisham and central London

Our proposals Stations
We are proposing four new stations along the route of the proposed Bakerloo line extension. The suggested locations for these are:

Two along Old Kent Road (currently referred to as Old Kent Road 1 and Old Kent Road 2)

One at New Cross Gate, providing an interchange to London Overground and National Rail services at the existing station

One at Lewisham, providing an interchange to National Rail and DLR services at the existing station and serving the town centre

We are also proposing changes at Elephant & Castle station to improve journeys for all customers using the station.

Shafts
We would also need to build three shafts along the route. These would provide ventilation, cooling and emergency access to tunnels. At the surface, a structure known as a head-house would be built that contains the equipment for the shaft to function.

A shaft is required:

Between Elephant & Castle and the proposed station currently referred to as Old Kent Road 1

Between New Cross Gate and Lewisham station

At the end of the line in Lewisham

Shafts are required in these locations either due to the distance between two stations or because we would need to access trains parked in tunnels underground.

Tunnels
We would need to build two new tunnels to deliver the Bakerloo line extension from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham. These tunnels would generally be 20 metres beneath the ground. The alignment of the proposed tunnels would be subject to a future consultation and dependent on the selected locations of the proposed stations and shafts.

Station and shaft construction
Worksites would be required at each station and shaft location to enable construction. We may also need additional temporary worksites along the proposed route of the extension to aid these construction works.

Elephant & Castle station
We need to improve the Bakerloo line station at Elephant & Castle as part of the proposed extension.

The station improvements could be undertaken in addition to the existing plans to upgrade the Northern line ticket hall. The improvements would provide a new larger ticket hall and wider platforms for the Bakerloo line, along with better connections to the Northern line, and relieve crowding for passengers. To undertake these improvements we would require land for a worksite in the area.

At this early stage of development, the options are to try to use the existing infrastructure such as the Bakerloo line ticket hall building, platforms and existing tunnels, or investigate a site for a new ticket hall for Bakerloo line passengers.

The area highlighted on the map below is where we are currently considering undertaking the improvements to the station. We only require a portion of this area for the worksite. We are asking for your views on which section in the shaded area of the map you think would be most appropriate for the station and worksite.

Area currently under consideration for the required improvements to the Bakerloo line station at Elephant & Castle

Shaft between Elephant & Castle and Old Kent Road 1 stations
We need one shaft between Elephant & Castle and the proposed station Old Kent Road 1 due to the distance between them. We have identified two possible locations for the proposed shaft. The locations are shown on the maps below.

Elephant & Castle to Old Kent Road 1 shaft option B
At a public park site on Portland Street.

Old Kent Road stations
Both stations would be below ground with entrances and exits at street level. The stations would serve both existing and new residents and would provide an interchange with local bus services, walking and cycling routes.

We are considering two locations for the proposed station currently called Old Kent Road 1:

Old Kent Road 1 station option A
Near the junction of Mandela Way with Dunton Road.

Old Kent Road 1 station option B
Near the junction of Old Kent Road with Dunton Road.

We are also considering two locations for the second proposed station along Old Kent Road, currently called Old Kent Road 2.

Old Kent Road 2 station option A
Near the junction of Old Kent Road with St James's Road.

Old Kent Road 2 station option B
Near the junction of Asylum Road with Old Kent Road.

New Cross Gate station
We propose to build a new station at New Cross Gate and have identified a preferred site. This is shown on the map below. The station would be below ground along the western side of the existing rail station. It would improve connectivity in this part of London by providing an interchange to London Overground, National Rail services and local bus routes.

The size of the proposed site provides several opportunities for the project. It could allow soil to be taken away by train rather than using local roads. We could also start the tunnel machinery from this site.

Proposed New Cross Gate Bakerloo line station and worksite

Shaft between New Cross Gate and Lewisham stations

A shaft needs to be located between New Cross Gate and Lewisham station. We have identified a single preferred site for a shaft and worksite on the proposed location at the end of Alexandra Cottages off Lewisham Way.

Proposed shaft and worksite between New Cross Gate and Lewisham stations

We are proposing a preferred option for the station and shaft sites in the New Cross Gate area because our assessment has shown that they are the most suitable locations for the construction works needed to deliver the extension.

Lewisham station
Our preferred site for the Bakerloo line station at Lewisham is shown on the map below.

The station would be located on Thurston Road along the south western side of the existing National Rail station. It would improve connectivity by providing an interchange to National Rail and DLR services and access to the town centre.

Extending to Lewisham would also provide an interchange to buses, helping to increase Lewisham’s role as a major transport hub in south east London.

Proposed Lewisham Bakerloo line station and worksite

Shaft at the end of the line in Lewisham
We need to build tunnels beyond Lewisham station to provide an overrun tunnel that would allow empty trains to be parked. The overrun tunnels would also enable an extension of the Bakerloo line beyond Lewisham, if this were considered desirable in the future. These overrun tunnels also require a shaft for access.

The shaft site lies to the north of Wearside Road and along the eastern side of the Hayes National Rail line and south of the Hither Green National Rail line.

Proposed shaft and worksite location for overrun tunnels in Lewisham

We are proposing single preferred options for the station and shaft sites at Lewisham because our assessment has demonstrated that they are the most suitable locations for the construction works needed to deliver the extension.

For further information on the scheme please view our “Background to Consultation Report” and our factsheets in the Supplementary Information section below.

Have your say
This public consultation will be open until 21 April 2017.